Video transcoding techniques

Abstract

This chapter addresses the most recent advances in video transcoding and processing architectures for multimedia content adaptation. The first section provides an overview of the state of the art, where video transcoding is described as a key solution to enable seamless interoperability across diverse multimedia communication systems and services. Then, a detailed analysis of relevant transcoding functions is presented, addressing their implementation, coding performance and computational complexity. The different processing architectures that can be used for video transcoding are also described, according to their respective functionalities and application scenarios. Other solutions capable of providing adaptation of coded video to heterogeneous environments, such as scalable video coding and multiple description video coding are also discussed and their main advantages and disadvantages are highlighted. A case study is also presented to illustrate the need and effectiveness of video transcoding in modern applications. © 2009 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.